[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 57 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               HONORING SUNFLOWER COUNTY FREEDOM PROJECT

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable organization, Sunflower County Freedom Project.
  Founded in 1998, the Sunflower County Freedom Project was started by 
three Teach for America teachers who saw a need for an educational 
program in the Mississippi Delta that would challenge and engage young 
people in the area. Initially, the organization was a summer program at 
Mississippi Delta Community College that grew into a year-round program 
at the University of Mississippi. In 2002, the organization purchased 
the LEAD Center in Sunflower, which houses all of their programs. They 
target students in Sunflower County to complete a six-year fellowship 
with the organization beginning with the summer before they begin 
seventh grade. The overall goal is to have 100 percent of their 
``fellows'', also known as students, go on to enroll in four year 
colleges and universities. To this date they have met that goal.
  The Freedom Project is for students in 7th-12th grade who want to 
discipline themselves into becoming leaders in their homes, schools and 
communities. The middle school students partake in Freedom Summer, 
which is named for and rooted in the Civil Rights history of Freedom 
Summer '64. The high school students can participate in ACT Camp or 
summer opportunities around the country including Phillips Exeter 
Summer Academy and Explo at Yale University.
  We seek to provide students with opportunities and challenges that 
will allow them to grow and mature into leaders for the Mississippi 
Delta. Our multi-faceted approach includes rigorous academic work, arts 
enrichment, fitness and wellness training, educational travel and 
character development for every student. We travel the country, live in 
college dorm rooms, and camp in the wilderness to develop our students 
and enrich their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sunflower 
County Freedom Project for its dedication to serving others and giving 
back to the African American community.

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